Companies that are driven to provide positive change in their workplace culture are in constant discussion as they look for effective ways to better equity, equality and inclusion. However, while the concept of diversity and inclusion has been discussed to the point it is familiar in all modern, forward-thinking companies, the same cannot be said for the concept of an equitable workplace.

The general awareness of providing a genuinely equitable workplace has grown tenfold in recent years, with companies aiming to be supportive and create a culture of belonging for their employees.

This article dives into the importance of equity in a workplace and outlines how it can be achieved.

What is Equity in the Workplace?

First of all, equity is not to be confused with equality, as although they are similar, they have very different meanings. Workplace equity is the concept of looking to provide your employees with fair opportunities and level the playing field based on their own personal needs.

This means that those in leadership roles need to recognise and appreciate that each employee requires individual attention to ensure they are provided with the resources and support to help them achieve in the workplace. Equity aims to empower those from marginalised backgrounds, giving them the tools they require to meet their full potential.

Put simply, an equitable workplace will treat all employees fairly; this covers all aspects of work life; promotions, bonuses and consequences.

Equity versus Equality: Knowing the Difference

Although equity and equality have their similarities, they are not synonymous. As an organisation that is looking to move towards a truly equitable workplace, it is vital to understand how the two concepts differ.

The first area in which equity differs from equality is that it does not intend to treat all employees the same. An equitable workplace does not provide all employees with the same support, resources and opportunities. Instead, it looks to recognise which employees have personal barriers in place preventing them from achieving as much as an employee without said barriers. Recognising each employee's varied privileges and resource access means companies can level the playing field by supporting those who need it.

The concept of equality seeks to create a workplace that treats all employees the same, with no attention being paid to their background, ethnicity, sexuality, race or disability status. Achieving this is done so by ensuring a company’s resources, money, and opportunities are dealt to employees the same.

The Benefits of Equity in the Workplace

Creating an equitable workplace may be difficult, but it can lead to a variety of benefits for an organisation. This includes:

● Increased employee retention
● Employee upskilling
● Better staff morale
● Encourages achievement

Equity and equality join the continuum along with diversity and inclusion, providing companies with a clear path to creating a more friendly and fair workplace.

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